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Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer? Dec 6, 2024 Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer. New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits…
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For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
I found a couple of older threads about Arimidex, but they covered a large time span with a gazillion posts, so I thought I would start a new thread for Arimidex/Anastrozole users. I am starting on Anastrozole today. Plan is to take it for 5 years, possibly longer. I already have osteopenia and osteoarthritis (limited to…
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Anastrazole
Hi! I have a question about how anastrazole works. I am taking lupron for ovarian suppression and anastrazole because I'm premenopausal. When my estradiol was checked before starting anastrazole, it was 11. When it was checked yesterday, after being on anastrazole for 3 months, it was 19. I'm confused as to why it would be…
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Sex is difficult
I am finished with right mastectomy and reconstruction and left breast reduction and I'm on Anastrazole for 3 more years. My biggest issue is with sex. We always had a great relationship with sex. It was wonderful. Now I find, I cannot climax. I actually don't really have any pleasurable feelings when he touches me. I use…
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AI’s after 10 years?
It has been many years since I checked in but it’s so wonderful to see how much this thread has grown! I remember clinging to the hope here when I was first diagnosed, and now am myself more than 13 years out from my stage 3 diagnosis! My question for this wise group is how many of you have remained on an AI for more than…
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Life After Hysterectomy, Mastectomy and Anastzole
A little back story. I was diagnosed at the age of 41 with ER+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2018. I had a lumpectomy, 33 radiation treatments and then took Tamoxifen religiously for 4 years. Just when I was starting to feel back to myself and like I had this thing beat, I found out almost 4 years to the day that it came…
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Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women Sep 9, 2024 Protection varied by race and decreased with age. Read more…
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Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
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AIs - trading one problem for another
Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly. I am at low risk for recurrence. 7% risk of recurrence in 10 years with AIs, and 14% without. That means I have an 86% chance of NOT having a recurrence without AIs. If this means that out of 100 women, 86 will NOT have a recurrence without AIs, then 86 women will…
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Extreme fatigue on Arimidex
Ive been in Arimidex for a year and 3 months. I started out only taking it every other day as I was afraid if side effects. Until 2 months ago when my MO said he "hoped" it would work. Sigh. So I am now taking 5 instead of 4 days a week. Probably no difference in effect. Since on Arimidex, I have had joint pain,…
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Psychological reactions to aromatase inhibitors.
I'm sure this has been discussed on other pages but I want to start a thread specifically for this discussion. For the second time, I have had a severe neurological response to Aromatase inhibitors. The first time I was told there is nothing that would help so I quit taking the meds That was 6.5 years ago. I recently had a…
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Women on Ovarian Suppression + Hormonal Therapy Unite!
Hi all! I'm starting this thread for those of us premenopausal women who are receiving ovarian suppression treatment (Lupron, Zoladex, oopherectomy, etc.) plus hormonal therapy (tamoxifen, exemestane, or another AI). For me, there's a lot of fear and worry over how this will impact my overall well-being... how it will age…
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Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
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Arimidex brand vs generic
I want to share my experience to hopefully help others decide. I tried the generic anastrozole and stopped after day one. Side effects were unbearable. I informed my oncologist that I decided not to do the hormonal treatment because of side effects and asked if she would monitor me instead. Thankfully she agreed to. But I…
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Has anyone here declined aromatase inhibitors?
I am 70 and recently had a lumpectomy for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, 7mm. No lymph nodes involved. My oncologist prescribed anastrozole but I refuse to take it. I've done my homework and it's a quality of life issue for me. I already have mild arthritis, osteoporosis and thinning hair. I don't need more of that and…
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Finishing Anastrozole (7yrs) and considering breast reduction on non-Lumpectomy side
Hi everyone. I am finally going to be finished with Anastrozole (with my Oncologist's agreement after Breast Cancer Index test) this October. Here's my 1st question to the women who stopped taking the med after 5, 7, or 10 years: Did you feel or see any difference, in what way and how long did it take to be noticeable? Did…
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Anastrozole for DCIS and colon cancer?
Hello, I am newly diagnosed with DCIS. Stage 0, Grade 2 and hormone positive. I am about to start my radiation journey soon and with the advise of my breast surgeon, see a medical oncologist after radiation to talk about hormone blockers. I am not a candidate for tamoxifen so it would most likely be Anastrozole (or…
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When to stop anastrozole
I'm coming up on 5 years of anastrozole... After lumpectomy and radiation for stage 1 grade 1 idc. My oncologist knows Im always anxious, but he isn't really definitive on whether or not I should stop the AI. He said I should probably stop it but knowing how anxious I am maybe stay on it for another year or so... I'm a…
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Aromatase Hormone inhibitor “5 year pill” side effects?
Has anyone used these? what were your experiences as far as side effects? cardio-muscular-bone damage?
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Changes in body shape after double mastectomy and taking aromatase inhibitor
I'm pretty old (age 74), and had my double mastectomy in August 2022 and did not have any reconstruction. I have followed-up with anastrazole daily medication. And even though my body has changed a lot over the years, I have noticed recently that my stomach/abdomen seems much larger. My weight is the same now as before the…
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Coughing and Arimidex
I have had a dry cough since chemo and starting Arimidex in 2015. I have been to many kinds of doctors for the cough and no reason has been found. Sometimes the cough is really bad. Has anyone else had coughing?
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Eagle Pharmacy for the brand name Arimidex
Does anyone know if Eagle Pharmacy online is a reputable pharmacy for brand name hormonal medications? I'm going to give the treatment one more try with the brand name Arimidex and not the generic anastrozole. My oncologist agreed to monitor me if I decide not to do the hormonal treatment due to the awful side effects I…
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Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors
Obesity Ups Recurrence Risk in Women Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors Nov 24, 2023 The risk of breast cancer recurrence is higher in women with obesity treated with an aromatase inhibitor. Read more…
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What Helps Women Stick to Hormonal Therapy Treatment Plans After Surgery?
What Helps Women Stick to Hormonal Therapy Treatment Plans After Surgery? August 25, 2023 Lowering medicine prices seems to be one of the best ways to help women stick to their hormonal therapy treatment plans after breast cancer surgery. Read more…
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anastrozole
Hi, After 1.5 years on tamoxifen, I became menopausal and the tamoxifen was changed to anastrozole. After 3 days of treatment, I am experiencing intense mood swings. My doctor suggested I can go back to tamoxifen. Is any other patient experiencing similar side effects with anastrozole? Do they go away after a few weeks?…
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Menstrual Cycle while on Anastrozole and Zoldex 1 Year
I've been on daily anastrolzole and monthly injections of Zoladex for one year and I just started a period. I'm almost 45 so I wasn't menopausal prior to starting treatment. I'm a little anxious as you can imagine, since the drugs should have me in induced menopause. Anyone else have this happen to them?
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No sleep for three days on brand name Arimidex
Hello, back again for your sage advice and shared experiences. I started brand name Arimidex a week ago. If I took in the AM, I'd feel catatonic all day, completely dissasociated from my brain and exhausted. So I started taking at night but was utterly wired all night long. No sleep. Not even with prescription sleep meds.…
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Any POSITIVE stories about AIs or Tamoxifen?
I am seeing a lot of posts seem to indicate that AIs are frequently stopped due to side effects that are not bearable. I am on Tamoxifen and expect my onco to recommend me changing to an AI. I have gained at least 10 lbs since starting T just shy of 2 years ago. I do have joint pain (specific to the hip area) but am sure…
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Arimidex and permanent damage
HI, all. Looking for some guidance as I am struggling with the decision to take it or not. I am 58 post-menopausal I do not have the BRCA gene mutations. My risk of recurrence with AI is 4% and 8% without. All in all, I've got it pretty good. My lumpectomy was easy. Radiation not too bad. I don't have to do chemo. I feel…
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Kisqali Plus Hormonal Therapy After Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Reduces Recurrence Risk